31 December 2014

I've never been good at making toasts or being counted on for encouraging words of wisdom when it mattered - I'm much too uncoordinated for that. So I'll leave the "right" words for wishing you all a Happy New Year to the harbingers of wisdom themselves - author Neil Gaiman and my man, Charlie Brown:

I hope that in this year to come, you make mistakes. Because if
you are making mistakes, then you are making new things, trying new
things, learning, living, pushing yourself, changing yourself, changing
your world. You're doing things you've never done before, and more
importantly, you're Doing Something. So that's my wish for you,
and all of us, and my wish for myself. Make New Mistakes. Make glorious,
amazing mistakes. Make mistakes nobody's ever made before. Don't
freeze, don't stop, don't worry that it isn't good enough, or it isn't
perfect, whatever it is: art, or love, or work or family or life. Whatever it is you're scared of doing, Do it. Make your mistakes, next year and forever.
- Neil Gaiman

Peppermint Patty: What you do think, Chuck, would be good rules for living in the New Year? Charlie Brown: Keep the ball low, don't leave your crayons in the sun, use dental floss
every day, don't spill the shoe polish, always knock before entering,
don't let the ants get in the sugar, never volunteer to be a program
chairman, always get your first serve in, and feed your dog whenever
he's hungry.
- Happy New Year, Charlie Brown

24 December 2014

I hope each and every one of you has a wonderful holiday season with your loved ones. Give a little, get a little (and I mean more than just gifts - but yeah, gifts too) and a share a lot. May your days be merry and bright, and we'll see you on the flip side of Christmas!

22 December 2014

I wish you and yours a very merry holiday season - and as an old Irish proverb goes, "May you never forget what is worth remembering or remember what is best forgotten."

(And today's the last day to enter my IG giveaway, co-hosted with my girl, Moody Girl in Style. Click here for a chance to win a whole load of goodies from Kate Spade, J.Crew, Target and Starbucks - like a $50 J.Crew gift card and more! Giveaway ends tonight!)

19 December 2014

Cozy sweaters make wintery cold weather just a bit more bearable and buffalo plaid seems to be the cozy print of the season, so when Sheinside graciously asked if I wanted to pick an item from their vast selection of clothes to try out, I couldn't resist this cardigan (and with the - faux - fur no less!)

This is the first time that I've ordered anything through Sheinside and knowing that Asian brand retailers often size smaller than US brands, I appreciated that they offered clothing measurements for each piece.

I received my sweater in about two weeks and had no problem with anything, but I know returning or exchanging items from overseas retailers can often be difficult and expensive, so please make sure you read their return policy and maybe check out some other online reviews before placing your order. In the meantime, I will cozy on by with my cuddly cardi!

BTW, ladies, I'm partnered with Moody Girl in Style to co-host a great little giveaway on our Instagram accounts (you can enter here). One lucky lady has the chance to win a pair of Kate Spade earrings and bangle bracelet, a J.Crew jewelry tray and set of coasters, a set of Target note cards and pens, a Starbucksbuffalo plaid mug and a $50 gift card to J.Crew!

17 December 2014

Can I be festive and office-appropriate? Well here I am trying for both - flippy hint-of-metallic jacquard skirt with beaded collar and all buttoned-up with a blazer. I am calling this my "Winter Wonderland gone The Office" outfit. All I need are some shared sugar cookies with some nog while sitting around the ole conference table and I'm all set!

15 December 2014

These camo pants continue to be a bit of a challenge for me - OK, pretty much anything more than the basic blue denim jean does - but I like the fit and the subtlety of the pattern, so I'm still trying to find ways to wear these into winter. And the cozy long sweater? I am pretty much living in them this season. Wooly knits are my friend, friends.